Driving axle



l EL" m l gg July 31, 1,934- J. E. PDGETT Erm. y 1,968,618

DRIVING AXLE nrwill!! Patented July 31, 1934 DRIVING AXLE Joseph E.rangen and mmm r. lewin,

f. Toledo, h10

Application February 5, 1932, Serial No. 591,098

nomma.

This invention relates generally t0,V driving axles for motor vehicles,and'nore particularly to an improved construction for such axles.

An object of our invention is to provide an improved vehicle drivingaxle having the gear casing thereof formed with integral projections formounting the axle tubes and pinion shaft,l and' wherein the bearings forthe differential carrier and pinion shaft are supported by seatsprovided von the integral projections.

Another object ofour invention is to provide an improved vehicle axle ofthe type mentioned, wherein novel means is employed for positioning thegear assembly with respect to the axis of the pinion shaft and forpositioning the pinion with respect to the axes of the axle shafts.

Another object of lour invention is to provide Ia Avehicle driving axleembodying novel means for obtaining a desired distribution ofcirculation ofj lubricant in the gear chamber of the axle. l I

A further `object of our invention is to provide a vehicle driving axleembodying novel meansfor preventing the escape of lubricant from thegear housing. Still another object of our invention is to provide animproved vehicle driving axle which, as compared with axles 'heretoforeused, is di reduced weight for a given capacity, possesses greaterrigidity, and is quieter and more durable in operation.

Other objects'and advantages of our invention will be apparent from vthefollowing description, when taken in commotion with the accompanyingsheets of drawings, wherein, Fig. 1 is a side elevational view, withportions broken/away, showing arvehicle driving axle con-I ystructedaccording to our invention.

FgfrZ is a sectional plan view thereof taken substantially on the line2-2 of Fig. 1. f Fig. 311s a side elevational view with portions brokenaway showing another vehicle driving axle constructed according to ourinvention.

Fig. 4 is a sectional plan. view thereof taken substantially on line 4-4of Fig. 3. i

Fig. 5 isa partialsectional view showing another form of bearing seat.`Y

Fig. 6 is a view showing another shim arl, rangement contemplated by ourinvention. y

Figs. .'l and 8 are sectional views showing otherv arrangements ofbearings and bearing seats, and

Fig. 9 is an inside elevation of the cover `for the gear chamber. l

For a more detailed disclosure of our invention, reference will now bemade to the accompanying drawings showingvehicle driving axles, howsolPATENT y OFFICE* Elssutn ever', itshould be understood that the drawingsare for the `purposes of illustration and that our invention is not. tobe regarded as limited to the -particular construction or arrangementsshown therein, but may be embodiedv in various other designs or types ofconstruction. y

As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, our improved axle isprovided with a gear casing 10, which is yformed as a metal castinghaving integral oppositely extending projections 11 and 65 12, and anintegral projection 13 extending in angular relation, preferably atright angles to a plane passing through the common axis of theprojections 11 and 12. 'Ihe integrally formed projections 11, 12 and 13are hollow and com- 70 municate with the chamber 14 of the casing inwhich the gear assembly 15 is disposed.

The projections 11 and 12 are constructed so as to li'orm mounts for theaxle tubes 16 and 17, which extend outwardly from the casing 10, andthese projections may be reinforced by the provision of suitable ribs18. The axle tubes may be secured to the projections in any suitablemanner, such as by providing the projections with ,u openings 19 intowhich the axle tubes extend, 80

as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. After being assembled into the'openings of the projections, the ends oi the vaxle tubes may be heldagainst withdrawal by appropriate means, such as b`y welding the tubesto the projections, or by the use `oi suitably located rivets.

As shown in the drawings, the projections 11 and 12 are preferablyprovided with an enlargement 20, adjacent the junction thereof with thebody of the casing 10, and in accordance with our invention, each ofthese enlargements is provided with a pair of seats for positioning andsupporting the bearings 22, in which the gear assembly 15 is rotatablymounted. In this instance, the bearings 22 are of the type known asroller bear- 95 ings, each comprising a circumferentially extendingseries of tapered rollers 23, arranged between inner and outer annularraces 24 and 25. The bearing seats preferably constitute an integralpart of the cast vmetal forming the projections, as shown in Fig. 2, butin instances where the casing is of relatively soft cast metal, thebearing seats may be a 25? of harder material mounted in the opening ofthe projections, las indicated in Fig. `5. In the preferredconstruction, one seat of each pair comprises a cylindrically formedsurface-26 which isl engaged by the outer periphery of the bearing race25. The other seat of each pair comprises a radially disposed annularlyextending shoulder 27 which is 110 engaged by an end face of the bearingrace 25. From the arrangement just described it will be seen that theseats provided foreach of the bearings 22, are located inwardly of theinner ends of the axle tubes, and arecarried directly by the integrallyformed projections, so that the latter absorb both the radial load andthe end thrust transmitted through the bearings. In other words, thecylindrical seats 26 support and position the bearings 22 coaxially ofthe projections 11 and 12, and the radially disposed seats 27 supportthe bearings against end thrust and position the same with respect tothe axis of the projection 13.

The projection 13 which, as stated above, is formed as an integral partof the casing 10, is arranged to project forwardly of the latter, andprovides a mount for the pinion shaft 30. 'I'his projection or mount isof substantially tubular shape, having an opening at its forward end,and also having spaced seats therein for the roller bearings 33 and 34which support the pinion shaft. Each of these seats comprises acylindrical surface 35, which is engaged by the outer periphery of theouter bearing race 36, and a radially disposed annularly extendingshoulder 37 which is engaged by an end face 38 of the outer bearingrace. In this arrangement the cylindrical seat 35 absorbs the radialload transmitted through the bearing, and positions the latter inconcentric relation to the axis of the projection 13. The radiallydisposed shoulder 37 absorbs the end thrust of the bearing, and assistsin positioning the latter axially of the projection 13. As in the caseof the bearings 22, referred to above, the seats 35 and 37 arepreferably formed as an integral part of the pinion-shaft mount orprojection, so that the radial load and end thrust of the bearings 33and 34 will be absorbed by the integrally cast gear casing.

The gear assembly 15, which we have stated is housed within the casing10, may be of any form of construction which is suitable for thetransmission of power from the pinion 40, mounted at the inner end ofthe pinion shaft 30, to the axle shafts 41 and 42 which extend coaxiallyof the axle tubes 16 and 17. As herein illustrated, this gear assemblyor power transmitting device is provided with a frame or differentialcarrier 43 having oppositely extending sleeve-like projections 44 whichare supported in the inner races of the bearings 22. A main bevel gear45 is secured to the frame 43 by any suitable means, such as the bolts46, and meshes with the driving pinion 40. As is usual in powertransmitting devices of this kind, the frame 43 supports a train ofdifferential gearing comprising a pair of bevel gears 47 and 48, whichare rotatably supported upon the pin 49, and which mesh with a secondpair of bevel gears 50 and 51. 'Ihe bevel gears of the latter pair areeach formed with a sleeve portion 52, which is journaled in the frame43, and which has driving connection with the inner end of one of theaxle shafts. This driving connection may be a spline connection, but, inthis instance, is formed b y providing square portions 53, at the innerends of the axle shafts, which engage in correspondingly shaped recessesformed in the gear sleeves 52.

In order that the gear assembly l5 may be inserted into or removed fromthe gear chamber of the casing' 10, we construct the latter with anopening through the rear wall thereof opposite the projection 13. Thisopening is of suitable size and shape for the purpose intended, and isclosed by a cover 54, which may be formed as a sheet metal stamping andmay be removably held in place by the bolts 55. As will be explainedhereinafter, this cover is so shaped that it assists in ecientlydistributing the lubricant of the gear chamber to the desired points.

In assembling our axle, the pinion shaft 30 with the bearing 34assembled thereon, is first inserted through the opening of the casingand positioned coaxially within the projection 13. A spacing sleeve 56and the bearing 83 are next mounted upon the pinion shaft by beinginserted into the projection from the forward end thereof. Positioningof the pinion 40 relative to the common axis of the axle shafts for mostefficient cooperation with the main gear 45, as well as adjustment ofthe bearings 33 and 34, are obtained by providing a shim 56' of suitableform and appropriate thickness, between the outer race of the bearing 34and the seat 37, and another such shim 57 between the inner race of thebearing 33 and the forward end of the spacing sleeve 56. Although weprefer'the shim arrangement just described, it may be desirable in someinstances to locate the shim 56 between pinion 40 and the inner race ofthe bearing 34, instead of between the outer race of this bearing andthe shoulder 37 as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

A power transmitting coupling may be provided for our driving axle,adjacent the forward end of the projection 13, by mounting the shaftmember 58 on the forward end of the pinion shaft. The shaft member isprovided with a flange 58 for connection with a universal joint (notshown), and a sleeve portion 59 extending inwardly toward the bearing33. A retaining nut 59 is threaded upon the forward end of the pinionshaft, as shown in Fig. 2. When tightened against the shoulder` of theshaft member 58, this nut causes the parts of the pinion shaft assemblyto be drawn together between the shaft member 58 and the pinion 40 withthe inner race of the bearing 33 abutting against the shim 57. Theaction of the nut, coupled with the fact that the outer race of thebearing 33 abuts against the seat 37, causes the outer race of bearing34 to abut against the shim 56 with the result that the pinion iscorrectly positioned axially of the projection 13. From the assembly andarrangement just described, it will be seen that the shims 56' and 57afford simple and convenient means for initially positioning orsubsequently adjusting the pinion 40 and the bearings 33 and 34.

After the pinion shaft has been assembled in the projection 13, as justdescribed, the gear assembly 15, with the bearings 22 mounted upon thesleeve portions 44 thereof, is inserted through the rear opening of thecasing 10, bringing the main gear 45 into mesh with the pinion 40 andthe outer races of the bearings 22 into engagement with the seats 26 and27. For removably mounting the gear assembly in this position, weprovide the bearing caps 60, which are secured to the casing by means ofthe bolts 61. These bearing caps are so shaped that they cooperate withthe seats 26 and 27 in supporting and positioning the bearings 22.

In order that the gear assembly 15 may be properly positioned withrespect to the axis o f the pinion shaft 30, so that efficientcooperation is had between the main gear 45 and the pinion 40, weprovide novel and emcient centering means which constitutes an importantfeature of our invention. This positioning means for the gear assembly15, consists in providing the frame 43,

of the meer, with shouider portions sr at the yof suitable form andappropriate thickness, which is interposed therebetween. If desired,however, the shoulders 63 may directlyengage the bearing races 24, inwhich case suitable shims 65, equivalentl to the shims 64, areinterposed between the outer races 25 and the seats 27, as shown inFig.6. Since the bearings 22 are themselves positioned by means of theradially disposed seats 27, it will be seen that the cooperationprovided between v the bearings and the shoulder portions 63, affords asimple and efficient means for correctly positioning the gear assembly.Moreover, it will be seen that very accurate initial positioning oradjustment of the gear assembly, and of the bearingsv 22, can be had, aswell as subsequent adjustment for wear, by simply selecting shims ofappropriate thickness.

After the various parts of our axle have been assembled in the mannerdescribed, the cover 54 is secured`in place and the chamber of the gearcasing is charged with a quantity of lubricant. It is well understood inthis art that during the operation of axles of the type disclosedherein, a portion of the lubricant contained in the gear chamber adheresto the main gear of the differential carrier and is to some extentdistributed thereby. To improve the lubricant distributing action of themain gear 45 we have constructed the cover 54 of such shape that it in-'creases the capacity of the main gear for picking up lubricant, andalso serves to direct the flow ofthe lubricant so that an adequatesupply is delivered to the bearings 22 and to the interior of thecarrier 43. As shown inFigs. 2, 3 and 9, this cover is substantially inthe form of a shallow -pan having a marginal ange through which thebolts 55 extend, and a relatively deep arcuate '2, for the purpose ofdirecting thel lubricant to the bearings 22 and to the cooperating gearsdisposed in the carrier 43. It will be noted that the bearing 22, whichis associated with the projection 11, is more remote from the gear thanis the bearing associated with the projection 12, and that the slopingside Wall 55 is made corre- -spondingly longer so that the desiredlubricant distribution will be obtained.

During the operation of our vehicle axle, some of the lubricant of thegear chamber is picked up by the gear 45 and is splashed or thrown intothe recess 54'. We have found that as this lubricant flows away from therotating gear, it is actually directed against the bearings 22 and thecarrier 43 by the sloping walls 45' and 55.

To insure adequate lubrication of the bearings in the projection ,13,and to obtain an actual circula-tion of lubricant therethrough, weprovide means whereby lubricant will be delivered into the projection bythe gear 45, and will be readily returned therefrom to the gear chamber.Weattain this circulation by providing the gear casing with a lubricantpassage 66 leading into lthe projection 13, and with a return passage66' for carrying the lubricant from the projection back to the gearchamber. The inlet passage 66 communicates with the lubricant chamber orreservoir 67 in the projection 13, from which reservoir lubricant issupplied directly' tothe bearings 33 and 34. An elevated lip or dam 68,preferably formed integral with the gear casing. assists in collectinglubricant and causing the same to flow f into the reservoir 67.

The return passage is located below the center line of the pinion shaft30, preferably along the bottom of the projection so that gravity willassist in returning the lubricant to the gear chamber. suitable type,but is preferably integrally formed during the casting of the casing 10.As shown in Fig. 1V of the drawings, this passage is so arranged thattheinlet end 69 thereof communicates with the interior of thev projection13 at a point forwardly of thebearing 33. With this arrangement, thelubricant, delivered into the projection, is returned to the gearchamber only after it has passed through the pinion shaft bearings. Itwill be seen that by the means just described, we provide adequatelubrication for the pinion shaft bearings, since a continuous flow oflubricant will be' maintained through the projection 13 during theoperation of the vehicle.

As another important feature of our invention,

we have provided novelsealing means for pre- This passage may be aconduit of anyv venting the escape of lubricant, or the entry of lforeign material, around the pinion shaft 30 at the forward end of theprojection 13. This sealing means consists of a plurality of annularmembers which surround the pinion shaft, and which` are so constructedand arranged as to effectively prevent the escape of lubricant or theentry of foreign material. These members are preferably constructed assheet metal stampings and includean intermediate member 70, and innerand outer members 71 and 72 disposed on opposite sides of theintermediate member. The inner and outer members are rotatable with theshaft member 58 the outer member preferably having anv axially extendingsleeve portion 73 pressed onto the sleeve portion 59 of the shaftmember, and the inner member preferably having a flange portion 74gripped between the inner end of the sleeve portion 59 and the innerrace of the bearing 33. The intermediate member 70 is formed with aradially extending flange 75 which may be secured to the forward end ofthe projection 13, as by means of suitable screws 75', and a cupshapedportion 76, which telescopes into the4 opening of the 'projection 13.-The bottom of' this cup-shaped portion provides a radially disposedclosure fwall 76' extending between the inner surface of the opening ofthe projection and the outersurface of the sleeve portion of therotatable shaft member 58. As shown in Fig. 2, the closure wall 76 isprovided with an integral sleeve portion 77, which surrounds therotatable shaft member 58 and Awhich extends axially inwardly toward thepinion 40. At its inner end vthe sleeve portion 77 terminates in aradially clisposed annular flange 77' which cooperates'with therotatable inner member 71 in1 a mannerl opening of theprojection 13, sothat the peripheral edge 78 of the disc forms a relatively close sealwith the inner surface of the opening. This rotatable sealing disc isalso provided with an integral sleeve portion 78 extending axiallyoutwardly away from the bearing 33 and surrounding the radially disposedflange 77 of the stationary sealing member 70. The diameter of thesleeve portion 78' is preferably such that very small clearance isprovided between the same and the ange 77 of the stationary'sealingmember. When the sealing members and 71 are assembled in place in theforward end of the projection 13, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, anintermediate collecting chamber 79 is formed therebetween.

From the constructoin and arrangement of the members 70 and 71 as justdescribed, it will be seen that for any lubricant to escape from theforward end of the projection 13, such lubricant must pass between theperipheral edge 78 and the Wall of the projection into the chamber 79.From this chamber the escaping lubricant must reverse its direction oftravel and pass between the peripheral edge of the radiallydisposedflange 77' and the inner surface of the sleeve portion 78', andthen again reverse its direction of travel and pass between the sleeveportion 77 and the shaft member 58. It will be noted that since thesealing member 71 is rotatable, the lubricant attempting to pass betweenthe sleeve portion '78 and the flange 76, will meet with considerableresistance because the tendency will be for centrifugal force to throwthis lubricant outwardly toward the inner surface of the projection 13,and to some extent into the return passage 66.

To assist the sealng means in preventing the escape of the lubricant, wehave arranged the return passage 66', referred to above, so that theinlet end thereof also communicates with the chamber 79, through thepassage 80, as shown in Fig. 1. During the operation of our axle, suchlubricant as may pass around the peripheraledge 78, will be collected inthe chamber 79 and will be delivered into the return passage 66 throughthe opening 80, and conveyed back to the gear Charna ber. 'I'hus it willbe noted that the communicating passage .80 functions as a means fordraining the chamber '79, and, in addition, prevents lubricant pressurefrom building up in this chamber, which might otherwise result in someof the lubricant being forced outwardly between -the sleeve portion 77and the shaft member 58.

As explained above, the intermediate member 70 is provided with aradially extending flange 75 which is secured to the forward end of theprojection 13, and in this connection it should be noted that thisflange protrudes outwardly beyond the outer Isurface of the projection13. This protruding portionlof the flange cooperates with the rotatableouter member 72 to exclude water and other foreign material fromentering the projection through the pinion shaft opening. The outermember, as stated above, is rotatable with the shaft member 58 and, asshown in Figs. 1 and 2, is substantially in the form of a cup having itsy bottom wall extending radially outwardly from "l be deflectedoutwardly by the annular protruding portion of the flange 75. As thisforeign material drips from the protruding flange portion it will becaught by the rotatingtelescoping skirt portion 81 and thrown outwardlyfrom the latter by centrifugal force, In telescoping around the forwardend of the projection 13, the outer member 72 also acts as shield anddeflector which prevents foreign material from being splashed orotherwise directed into the pinion shaft opening.

In Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, we have shown another vehicle drivingaxle embodying our invention, but which differs in some respects fromthe driving axle just described. In this latter form of our axle, thebearings 100 which support the gear assembly 101, and the bearings 102and 103 which support the pinion shaft 104, are of the annular balltype. The axle shown in Figs. 3 and 4 also differs from the one shown inFigs. 1 and 2, in that the bearings 102 and 103 are arranged on oppositesides of the driving pinion 105, to form what is known in the art as astraddle mount for the pinion shaft. As in the arrangement previouslydescribed, we provide a gear casing 106 having integrally formed alignedextensions 107 and 108, in which the shaft tubes 109 and 110 aremounted. Likewise, we provide a forwardly extending pinion shaft mount111, which is formed as an integral part of the gear casing. Theintegrally formed projections 107, 108 and 111 are hollow, as shown inFig. 4, and communicate with the interior of the gear chamber formed inthe casing 106.

In accordance with our invention, seats are provided on the projections107, 108 and 111 for positioning the bearings 100, 102 and 103, and forab- 1',

sorbing the loads transmitted therethrough. The seats Ifor the bearings100 consist of a part of the inner cylindrical surfaces of theprojections 107 and 108. The seat for the bearing 102 comprises acylindrical surface 115, formed inthe projection t l 111 adjacent theforward end thereof, and a radially disposed integral shoulder portion116 which cooperates with the removable flange 117 for positioning thebearing 102 against axial di..- placement. The seat for the bearing 103comprises a cylindrical surface 118 formed in 'the web 119 which extendsinto the gear chamber 106.

As shown in Fig. L1, the inner end of the shaft tube 109 terminatesshort of the inner end of the opening provided in the projection 107, sothat the i inner end of this shaft tube may constitute an abutment orshoulder 120, which is engaged by the outer race 121 of the bearing 100for absorbing the end thrust transmitted through this bearing. Theuse ofthe inner end of the shaft tube, as a seat for the bearing 102, isfeasible only when thisbearing is of such size that its outside diameteris the same as-the outside diameter of the shaft tube, as shown in Fig.4, and, if desired, the same type of seats may be provided for thebearings 100, as are provided for the bearings 22 of Fig. 2, by simplyforming the extension 107 and 108 with enlargements 121' and 122', asindicated in Figs. 7 and 8.

As stated above, the pinion shaft 104 is supported by a straddle mount,and in order to insert the gear assembly 101 into the gear chamber andto bring the main gear 122 into mesh with the pinion 105, withoutinterference from the mount for the bearing 103, we' have arranged theshaft tube 110 so that the inner end 123 thereof terminates considerablyshort of the inner end of the opening of the projection 108 as shown inFig. 4. In other words, the shaft tube 110 cloes not extend into theprojection 108 far assembly 'is p operly positioned with respect to ithe axis of the pinion shaft. The space thus provided between theextreme inner end of the opening of the projection 108 and the inner endof the shaft tube 100, affords a clearance which permits the gearassembly to be inserted into or removed from the chamber in such amanner that the main gear 122 clears the bearing 103.

In introducing the gear assembly into the gear chamber and bringing themain gear into mesh with the pinion, one of the bearings 100 is broughtinto engagement with the inner end of the shaft tube 109 and intoengagement with the seat provided by the inner surface of the projection107. This assembly operation likewise brings the other bearing 100 intoengagement with the seat provided at the inner end of the projection108, and in spaced relation to the inner end of the shaft tube 1'10, asshown in Fig. 4. After the gear assembly is brought into the positionillustrated in this figure, a spacing ring 124 of proper width isinserted between the inner end of the shaft tube 110 and the bearing 100adjacent thereto, so as to engage the outer race of this bearing. Thespacer serves as an abutment which absorbs the axial thrust of thebearing 100 and positions the gear assembly with respect to the axis ofthe pinion shaft. The gear assembly is held in this position by theretaining caps 125 and 126 provided for the bearings 100, which caps are'removably mounted adjacent the inner ends of the projections 107 and108. The bearing cap 126 also engages the spacer ring 124 and serves toretain this member in place between the shaft tube 110 and the bearing,100.' w v When the projection 108 is'formed with an enlargement at theinner end thereof, as shown in Fig. 7, the spacing ring 124' isinterposed between the inner bearing race 128 and thev seat or shoulder126'.

As in the driving axle arrangement shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the frame ofthe 'gear assembly 101 is provided with shoulder portions 127 which co-"lov operate with the inner races 128 of the bearings 100, to therebycorrectly position the gear assembly within the gear chamber. Asexplained above, suitable shims 129 of appropriate thickness may be usedin conjunction with these shoulders for the purpose of making anaccurate initial assembly, or for making adjustments for wear. Ifdesired, the shoulders 127 may directly engage the inner races of thebearings 100, and spacing shims may be applied to the outer bearingraces,

as shown in Fig. 6.

As indicated in Fig. 4, the bearing 102 is held in place by the seat 115and by having its outer race held against the seat 116 by the flange117. C orrect positioning or adjustment of the pinion 105, inthe axialdirection of the mount 111, is obtained by the provision of a suitableshim 130 of appropriate thickness between theinnerrace 131 of thebearing 102 and the shoulder 132 of the pinion. A nut 133,\on theforward end of the pinion shaft, clamps the shim 13 0 `between thebearingI race 131 and the shoulder 132, and also serves as a retainingmeans for the shaftmember 134. l

l During the operation ofthe driving axle illustrated in Figs.- 3 and 4,some of the lubricant con- 4 the pinion 105 and to the pinion shaftbearings 102 and 103. A circulation of the lubricant through thepinion'shaftbearing 102 is obtained by providing theinlet passage 135,and a return passage 136 which conveys the lubricant from the forwardend of the -pinion shaft mount back to the gear chamber. The removablecover 137 which, as to construction and arrangement is sub-- stantiallyidentical with the cover 54, assists in the delivery of lubricant to thebearings and into the gear assembly 101. The escape of lubricant aroundthe pinion shaft at the forward end of the projection 111, is preventedby the use of the sealing means 138 which is substantially identicalwith that described in detail in connec-l tion with Figs. 1 and 2.

It will now be readily,v seen that we have provided an improved drivingaxle construction, wherein the gear casing is formed with integralprojections providing mounts for the pinion shaft and the shaft tubes,and wherein the integrally formed projections of the gear casing areprovided with seats for absorbingthe radial load and end thrust of thebearings which support the rctating parts. This integrally' castconstruction, which we have provided, is more rigid and durable than thehousings heretofore used, is of lighter weight, and .because of thenovel, posi- 100 tioning means embodied therein, more accuratepositioning of the bearings and cooperating parts is obtainable, andmore accurate assembly and quieter operation can beliad. It will also beseen that We have provided means for more effectively lubricating thepinionv shaft bearings by providing a passage for returning thelubricant from the pinion shaft mount to'the gear chamber. Moreover, thenovel form of labyrinth packing which we have provided for preventingescape of lubri- 11() cant around the pinion shaft, conserves the.supply of lubricant in the gear casing and prevents the undesirabledripping of lubricant from this part of the vehicle.

While we have illustrated and described the apparatus of our inventionin a detailed manner, it should be understood, however, that we do notintend to limit ourselves to the precise details of construction andarrangementsy of parts illustrated and described, but regard ourinvention rotatably supported on said housing, partial bearing seatsformed integral with said side walls and extending part-way around saidopenings at the side thereof which is adjacent to said driving member,said partial bearing seats being formed directly on said s ide walls andhaving portions extending laterally with respect tothe inner faces ofsaid side walls, a gear assembly, bearings on-said assembly engagingsaid partial bearing seats for supporting the assembly in the chamber incooperating relatlonwith said driving member, said housing having anopening -thereinto substantially yopposite said driving member.andaffording access to. said chamber and partial bearing seats wherebysaid gear assembly can be moved as a unit into the chamber and intoengagement with said partial bearing seats, and bearing capscomplemental to said partial bearing seats for retaining the gearassembly in said cooperating relation.

2. In a vehicle driving axle, the combination of a housing formed as aone-piece substantially rigid metal body provided with spacedsubstantially parallel side walls and having a gear chamber therein,said side walls having substantially aligned openings communicating withsaid chamber, a driving member rotatably supported on said housing,partial bearing seats interiorly of said openings and extending part-wayaround the same at the side thereof which is nearest to said drivingmember, said partial bearing seats being formed integral with said sidewalls and being oiset laterally outwardly with respect to the innerfaces of said side walls, a gear assembly, bearings on said assemblyengagingsaid partial bearing seats for supporting the assembly in thechamber in cooperating relation with said driving member, said housinghaving an opening thereinto substantially "opposite said driving memberand affording access to said chamber and partial bearing seats wherebysaid gear assembly can be moved as a unit into the chamber and intoengagement with said partial bearing seats, and bearing capscomplemental to said partial bearing seats for retaining the gearassembly in said cooperating relation.

3. In a vehicle driving axle, the combination of a housing formed as aone-piece substantially rigid metal body provided with spaced side wallsand having a gear chamber therein, said housing also having a forwardlyextending projection thereon and said side walls having substantiallyaligned openings communicating with said charm ber, a shaft rotatablymounted in said forwardly extending projection and having a gear elementthereon, partial bearing seats formed integral "with said side walls andextending part-way around said openings at the side thereof which isadjacent to said shaft, said partial bearing seats being disposedlaterally outwardly of the inner faces of said side walls, a gearassembly, bearings on said assembly engaging said partial bearing seatsfor supporting the assembly in the chamber in cooperating relation withsaid gear elevment, said housing having an opening thereintosubstantially opposite said forwardly extending projection and adordingaccess to said chamber and partial bearing seats whereby said gearassembly can be moved as a unit into the chamber and into engagementwith said partial bearing seats, and bearing caps complemental to saidpartial bearing seats for retaining the gear assemly in said cooperatingrelation.

ln a vehicle driving axle, the combination of a housing formed as aone-piece substantially rigid metal body provided with spaced side wallsand having a gear chamber' therein, said side walls having outwardlyextending substantially aligned hollow projections which communicatewith said chamber, a driving member rotatably supported on said housing,partial bearing seats interiorly of said projections and extendingpartway around the same at the side thereof which is nearest to saiddriving member, said partial bearing seats being formed integral withsaid projections substantially at the junction of the same with the sideWalls and being disposed outwardly of the inner faces-of said sideWalls, a gear assembly, bearings on said assembly engaging said partialbearing seats for supporting the assembly in the chamber in cooperatingrelation with said driving member, said housing having an openingthereinto substantially opposite said driving member and aifordlingaccess to Asaid chamber and partial bearing seats whereby Siti@ gearassembly can be moved as a unit into the chamber and into engagementwith said partial bearing seats, and bearing caps complemental to saidpartial bearing seats for retaining the gear assembly in saidcooperating relation.

5. In a vehicle driving axle, the combination of a housing provided withspaced side walls and having a gear chamber therein, a pair ofsubstantially aligned projections extending outwardly from said sidewalls, a projection extending substantially perpendicularly to thecommon axis of said aligned projections, said housing including saidprojections being formed as a onepiece substantially rigid metal body, ashaft rotatably mounted in said perpendicularly extending projection andhaving a driving element thereon, partial bearing seats interiorly ofsaid aligned projections and extending part-way around the same at theside thereof which is nearest to said shaft, said partial bearing seatsbeing formed integral with said aligned projections substantially at thejunction of the same with the side walls and being disposed outwardly ofthe inner faces of said side walls, a gear assembly, bearings on saidassembly engaging said partial bearing seats for supporting the assemblyin the chamber in cooperating relation with said driving element, saidhousing having an opening thereinto substantially opposite saidperpendicularly extending projection and affording access to saidchamber and partial bearing seats whereby said gear assembly can bemoved as a unit into the chamber and into engagement with said partialbearing seats, and bearing caps complemental to said partial bearingseats for maintaining the gear assembly in said cooperating relation.

6. in a vehicle driving axle, the combination ci a housing formed as aone-piece substantially rigid metal body provided with spaced side wallsj and having a gear chamber therein, said side walls having outwardlyextending substantially aligned integral hollow projections whichcommunicate with said chamber, a driving member supported on saidhousing or rotation in said chamber, bearing seats interiorly' of saidprojections including end thrust seats lying in planes which aresubstantially perpendicular to the axes of said projections and partialradial seats extending part-way around said projections at the sidethereof nearest to said driving member and disposed outwardly of theinner faces of said side walls, a gear assembly, bearings on saidassembly engaging said end thrust seats and said partial radial seatsfor supporting said assembly in said chamber in cooperating relationwith said driving member, said housing having an opening thereintoaffording access to said chamber and bearing seats whereby said gearassembly can be moved as a unit into the chamber and into engagementwith said bearing seats, and bearing caps complemental to said partialradial seats for retaining the gear assembly in said cooperatingrelation. l

'l'. in a vehicle driving axle, the combination ofl a housing formed asa one-piece substantially rigid metal body provided with spaced sidewalls and having a gear chamber therein, said side walls havingoutwardly extending substantially aligned hollow projections whichcommunicate `with said chamber, a driving member supported on saidhousing for rotation in said chamber, en-

largements on the aligned projectionsvsubstanlargements and extendingpart-way around the same at the side thereof which is nearest to saiddriving member, said partial bearing seats being said partial bearingseats, and bearing caps complemental to said partial bearing seats formaintaining the gear assembly in said cooperating relation.

8. In a vehicle driving axle, the combination oi a housing provided withspaced side walls and having a gear 'chamber therein, a pair of substan--tially alignedhollow projections extending outwardly from the sidewalls of thehousing and communicating with said chamber, enlargements onsaid projections substantially at the junction of the same with saidside walls, a projection on the housing extending substantiallyperpendicularly to the common axis of said aligned projections, saidhousing including said projections and enlargements being formed as aone-piece substantially rigid metal body, a shaft rotatably mounted inthe perpendicularly extending projection and having a gear elementthereon, bearing seats` formed interiorly of said aligned pro- .jectionsand lying outwardly of the inner faces of *said side walls including endthrust seats lying in planes which are substantially perpendicular tothe common axis of said aligned projections and partial radial seatsextending part-way around said enlargements at the side thereof which isnearest to said shaft, a diierential assembly,

bearings on said assembly engaging said end thrust seats and saidpartial radial seats for sup; porting said assembly in said chamber incooper- -ation with said gear element, said housing havling an openingthereinto substantially opposite said perpendicularly extendingprojection and affording access to said chamber and bearing seatswhereby said gear assembly can be moved as a unit into the chamber andinto engagement 'with said bearing seats, and bearing caps complementaltov said partial radial seats for retaining.

the gear assembly in said cooperating relation.

9. vIn a vehicle driving axle, the combination of a housing providedwith spaced side walls and l having a gear chamber therein, a pair ofsubstantially aligned hollow projections extending outwardly from theside walls of the housing and communicating with said chamber, a mountextending substantially perpendicularly to the common axis of saidaligned projections and having spaced bearings therein, said housingincluding' said aligned `projections and said mount being formed as aone-piece substantially rigid metal body,a shaft rotatably supported insaid bearings and having a driving element thereon, partial radialbearing seats interiorly of said projections and extending'part-wayaround the same at the side thereof which is nearest to said drivingelement, said partial radial bearing seats be ling formed integral withsaid projections substantially at the junction of the same with thesidewalls and being disposed outwardlyof the inner faces of said sidewalls, a gear assembly, bearings on said assembly engaging said partialApartial radial bearing seats for retaining the gear assembly in saidcooperating relation.

10. In a vehicle driving axle, the combination of a housing providedwith spaced side walls and having a gear chamber therein, a pair ofsubstantially aligned hollow projections extending outwardly from theside walls of the housing and communicating with said chamber, a mountextending substantially perpendicularly to the common axis of saidaligned projections and having spaced bearings therein, a shaftjournaled in said bearings and having a driving element thereonintermediate said spaced bearings, said housing in cluding said alignedprojections and said mount being formed as a one-piece substantiallyrigid metal body, partial radial bearing seats interior- 1y of saidprojections and extending part-way around the same at the side thereofwhich is nearest to said driving member, said partial radial bearingseats being formed integral with said projections substantially at thejunction of the same with the side walls and being disposed outwardly ofthe inner faces of said side walls, a gear `assembly, bearings on saidassembly engaging said partial radial bearing seats for supporting theassembly in thechamber in cooperating relation withsaid driving element,said housing having an opening thereinto substantially opposite saidmount affording access to said chamber and partial bearing seats wherebysaid gear assembly can be moved as a unit into the chamber and intoengagement with said partial bearing seats, one of said projectionshaving a recess therein just outwardly of its partial radial bearingseat to facilitate positioning of the gear assembly in said chamber inwcooperating relation with'said driving element, means for preventingoutward displacement of the bearings of said assembly including meansdisposed in said recess, and bearing caps complemental to said partialradial bearing seats for retaining the gear as-1 sembly in saidcooperating relation.

11. In a vehicle driving axle, the combination of a housing providedwithspaced side walls and having a gear chamber therein, a pair ofsubstantially aligned hollow projections extending outwardly from theside walls of the housing and communicating with said chamber, a mountextending substantially perpendicularly to the common axis-of saidaligned projections and having ics spaced bearings therein, a shaftjournaled in said 'nearest to said driving element, said partial bearingseats being formed integral with said projections substantially at thejunction of the same with'said side walls and being disposed outwardlyof the inner faces of said side walls, a gear assembly, bearings vonsaid assembly engaging said partial bearing seats for supporting theassem' bly in the chamber in cooperating relation with said drivingelement, said housing having an opening thereinto substantially oppositesaid mount and affording access to said chamber and partial bearingseats whereby said gear assembly can be moved as a unit into the chamberand into engagement with said partial bearing seats, one of saidprojections having a recess therein just outwardly of its partial radialseat for facilitating the positioning of the gear assembly Jos.EPADGE'IT. ROBERT P. Lawrs.

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